Nepal’s new interim Prime Minister, Sushila Karki, on Monday unveiled her first set of ministers as the country seeks stability following violent youth-led protests that toppled the previous government.
The swearing-in ceremony, held under an outdoor canopy in front of the fire-damaged presidential office, was presided over by President Ram Chandra Paudel and broadcast live on national television.
The unrest, which began on September 8 after a controversial ban on social media, quickly spiraled into nationwide demonstrations over corruption and economic hardship.
Protesters set fire to parliament and several government buildings in what observers have described as the worst violence since the abolition of Nepal’s monarchy in 2008.
Official figures show at least 72 people were killed in just two days of clashes, while nearly 200 others remain hospitalized.
Prime Minister Karki, a 73-year-old former chief justice, acknowledged the gravity of the crisis.
“The young people of Nepal have spoken loudly and clearly. Their demand for a corruption-free future cannot be ignored. This interim government is here to rebuild trust and deliver stability ahead of elections in March,” she said.
Among those sworn in was Om Prakash Aryal, a lawyer known for his anti-corruption and human rights advocacy, who has been appointed Minister of Home Affairs, as well as Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.
Kulman Ghising, the former head of the Nepal Electricity Authority who is widely praised for ending years of power shortages, now oversees energy, infrastructure, transport and urban development.
The finance ministry was handed to respected economist Rameshwor Khanal, a former finance secretary, who faces the challenge of tackling unemployment and reviving an economy where one in five young people is jobless.
Speaking after the ceremony, Aryal said: “Our first priority is to restore law and order, but beyond that, we must address the root causes of the protests—corruption, unemployment and inequality.”
Karki’s administration is expected to serve until fresh elections scheduled for March 2026.
